TEHRAN - Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri who was in the Senegalese capital Dakar met the country’s Speaker of the National Assembly on Tuesday and held talks with him.

During the meeting, the Iranian deputy foreign minister said, “The initiative to hold the periodic meeting of the Forum on Peace and Security in Africa indicates Senegal’s efforts to restore Africa’s identity and consolidate the African countries’ independence.”

Pointing to the long-established ties between the two countries and Iran’s capacities in various fields, he demanded the continuation and expansion of the relations in all political, economic and parliamentary fields, according to a statement by the Iranian foreign ministry.

Bagheri also underlined the role and significance of parliamentary cooperation between Muslim states, saying that the capacity should be employed to restore the Palestinian people’s rights and stop the Zionist regime’s crimes in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Iranian diplomat extended the Iranian parliament speaker’s invitation to his Senegalese counterpart to visit Tehran.

For his part, Amadou Mame Diop expressed gratitude to the Iranian deputy foreign minister for taking part in the African Peace and Security Forum, saying, “The two countries have always had good ties thanks to their cultural commonalities.”

“We are willing to expand ties with Iran in the fields of agriculture, energy, industries and mines,” he added.

He noted, as the chair of the United Nations’ Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP), Dakar’s stance on supporting the Palestinian nation has been stable and steadfast.

 He thanked his Iranian counterpart for the invitation and expressed hope that he would visit Iran in the first opportunity.

Iran underscores Africa role in maintaining world order 

In a panel in Senegal attended by his counterparts from France, Germany, and Turkey, Bagheri Kani expressed Iran’s views on peace and security in Africa.

Bagheri Kani, criticizing the U.S. and Westerners for employing force and focusing on their own illegitimate interests in the present global order, stated that a sustainable and compressive system cannot be created without Africa’s meaningful involvement.

The Iranian diplomat is in Senegal to take part in the 9th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa.

“The current world order, despite all its complexities, suffers from many weaknesses and challenges to the extent that, as everyone admits, it is impossible for this order to continue to exist, and undoubtedly, this order will fall apart,” he said.

The Iranian diplomat went on to add, “Presently, we are going through a transition to a new order. Meanwhile, it should be stressed that in the new order, Africa has to reclaim its true status. The main weakness of the current declining order is the obvious injustice that has become institutionalized in the fabric of the order. The order that is not based on justice will surely not last.”

“On the other hand, none of the actors, including Africans, have an effective role in the existing order, so the imposition of the current order is considered one of its outstanding weaknesses,” Baqeri added, criticizing the current order for serving the interests of several Western countries.

“Therefore, all effective actors, especially Africans, need to work hard by playing an effective role in order to achieve their deserved share in the future world order. Any order in which Africa does not have a fair share will not last. Thus, all those who want to achieve a stable and comprehensive world order as soon as possible, should avoid obstructing Africa’s effective role to get its deserved share in it.”

He also noted, “Meanwhile, Africans should not wait for others to act, but they should stand up against injustices and oppression in order to achieve their deserved share in this order.”

“The Westerners’ genocide of in Africa yesterday and the Zionists’ genocide in Palestine today prove that the things that are not valuable for Westerners are human identity, existence and rights,” Baqeri said.

He continued by saying, “The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the great interests of other nations cannot be plundered for the benefit of a few narcissists. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that a lasting and compressive order cannot be achieved without Africa’s effective role.” 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to work with all its national, regional and international capacities alongside the African people and governments for the development, progress, stability, peace and calm in Africa.”

“Peace, security, development, and progress are Africa’s rights, and these rights will be fulfilled only if the African governments play an effective role. The Islamic Republic of Iran supports any African plan, policy, or move in this line, as it believes it is linked to catering to independent nations’ interests, either in West Asia or in entire Africa.” 

“Hence, we need to have a united voice and stance against the current unilateralism in a collective effort, including in the form of multilateral mechanisms such as the African Union (AU), BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The world needs to know that Africa is a mature and fully grown actor and does not need a guardian. The world needs to know that without Africa’s deserved share, no order will be lasting,” he concluded.